Mission:
The mission of the associate degree nursing program is to provide an innovative learning environment that prepares students to be professional, ethical, and competent caregivers in an increasingly diverse society. The realization of this mission will be student attainment of learning and end of program outcomes.

Description:
The associate degree nursing program prepares students to pursue a career in nursing by providing high quality instruction in classroom and clinical learning environments. Healthcare employment opportunities are available in long-term care, home health, hospital, and out patient settings. Clinical experiences are provided at local extended care facilities, hospitals, and other community agencies. Job title: Registered Nurse. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses.

Classes admitted in January and August. Registered nurses with associate of science degrees are eligible for admission to UCF's bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program.

The associate degree nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Information about tuition, fees and program length also may be obtained from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326. Phone - 800.669.1656

Program Outcomes:
1. The NCLEX licensure exam pass rate for associate degree nursing graduates will be at or above the national mean.
2. Seventy five percent of associate degree nursing graduates will complete the program of study within a three year time frame.
3. Seventy five percent of associate degree nursing graduates will express satisfaction with their program of study.
4. Seventy five percent of associate degree nursing graduates will obtain employment as a registered nurse within six months of graduation.

Graduates of the program will be able to:
Nursing Process
1. Utilize the nursing process and principles of best practices to meet the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities across the lifespan.

Communication
3. Use professional and technical resources to effectively communicate to individuals, families, groups and communities across the lifespan.

Human Needs
4. Practice within the ethical and legal framework of nursing and utilize the standards of nursing practice to meet the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities across the lifespan

Note: This program is eligible for federal financial aid and state bright futures.

- Continuing enrollment approval will be required to enroll in the program specific courses based on a selection process after completed the General Education classes required.

- Completion of the following courses with a grade of 'C' or better is required before submitting a request for continuing enrollment: ENC 1101 (College Composition); MAC 1105 (College Algebra); MCB 1010/1010L (Microbiology and Lab); and BSC 1085/1085L (Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab).

- Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better is the minimum required for consideration for continuing enrollment.

- Applications for continuing enrollment are submitted May and September. Students will be approved for continuing enrollment based on specific admission criteria. Students must apply each application cycle until accepted based on the selection process.

- Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS IV) with minimum scores of 75 percentile composite and 65 percentile mathematics and reading or TEAS V with minimum scores of 59 percentile composite, 63 percentile mathematics and 69 percentile reading is required for continuing enrollment approval. Applications submitted after January 1, 2012 must include TEAS scores; NET scores will not be accepted after January 1, 2012.

- Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) certification for healthcare providers to include adults, infant, children, and automatic external defibrillator (AED) affiliated with the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross is required prior to enrolling in program specific courses.

- Admissions into the program will be contingent on the satisfactory completion of both a drug screen and a background check consisting of a fingerprint check of state and federal criminal history information conducted through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

- According to Florida Board of Nursing, convicted felons who have had their civil rights removed are not eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

- General education courses (pre and co-requisites) and Nursing courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better.

- Students will be held accountable for the policies and procedures of the nursing program as outlined in the nursing student policy handbook, as well as the college student handbook.

- Readmission and transfer nursing courses must have been taken within one year and evaluated by the nursing readmission and transfer committee. Transfer nursing students are accepted on a limited basis depending on space availability.

Note: Prior to enrollment in college-level English or math courses, some students may be advised to complete college preparatory/developmental course work. See an Academic Advisor to determine developmental course requirements.

1. Students who choose the BSC 1085/1086 option to fulfill the biological sciences core requirements can use remaining credits to fulfull elective hours as appropriate. Both courses must be successfully completed to satisfy the biological sciences core requirements.